Government ANNUAL GOVERNMENT REPORT 2008 Prishtina, D
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Republika e Kosovës Republika Kosovo-Republic of Kosovo Qeveria - Vlada - Government ANNUAL GOVERNMENT REPORT 2008 Prishtina, December 2008 1 Table of Contents: Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………………….3 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………..5 Office of the Prime Minister …………………………………………………………………..8 Regional and International Relations (MPJ) ……………………………………………...41 Finance and Economy …………………………………………………………………………55 Education ……………………………………………………………………………………….68 Energy and Mining ……………………………………………………………………………83 Labor and Social Welfare …………………………………………………………………...87 Health …………………………………………………………………………………………...99 Justice ………………………………………………………………………………………….107 Security and Order …………………………………………………………………………..116 Spatial Planning and Environment ……………………………………………….……….125 Trade and Industry ………………………………………………………………….……….131 Transport and Communication. ………………………………………………….………...150 Culture, Youth, Sports…………………………………………………….………………....157 Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development……………………………………..……165 Public Services…………………………………………………………………………….….182 Local Government……………………………………………………………………………205 Return………………………………………………………………………………………….215 Kosovo Security Force……………………………………………………………………….222 2 1. Executive Summary Kosovo Government Annual Report, the first report of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, presents the main developments and achievements of Government of Kosovo as well as the comprehensive progress of the Kosovo society in 2008. Through this annual report, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo presents its work and achievements towards the accomplishments of aims and objectives: a Kosovo – a state of its citizens, a Kosovo – developed in compliance with democratic principles, a Kosovo – with a sustainable economic development, a Kosovo – a state of rule of law, a Kosovo – a multiethnic society and finally, a Kosovo – clearly committed towards European Integration and Euro-Atlantic processes and other international mechanisms, through the fulfillment of conditions and highest standards of transparency and accountability. The new government, established by PDK-LDK coalition, and other partners, is a result of parliamentary elections, held in November 2007, and derives from the need to establish a new positive, consensual and modern climate as well as a successful management of processes for a better future – a European future. In order to fulfill the will of its citizens, expressed through the free vote, the Government of the Republic of Kosovo, during 2008, implemented comprehensive social and political reforms. The Government of the Republic of Kosovo responded to the needs and requests of citizens of Kosovo and was at their service by applying responsible and transparent policies. These policies will lead Kosovo towards a rapid and sustainable economic growth and a peaceful and safe environment for all its citizens. The Government is committed to build confidence with all its citizens. Only, through mutual trust and honest and fair cooperation we will be able to accomplish justice for 3 all, a more qualitative education and safer investments that would result in a rapid and sustainable socio-economic development. These policies reflected in the improvement of the wellbeing of all its citizens. Progress was achieved through a close cooperation with all political and social actors, including the civil society, business community, academic institutions and international partners. The Government managed to overcome the most important challenge in the history of people of Kosovo, by accomplishing centuries’ long ambitions for freedom and independence and by representing the will of people of Kosovo through the declaration of Kosovo as an independent, sovereign and democratic state. Independence, as the only solution for the people of Kosovo, for the interest of peace and stability in the country and region, was achieved in close cooperation with international community and with their strong support. The Government led the process of declaration of independence, and the consequent celebrations showed extraordinary maturity of the people of Kosovo by celebrating the realization of their will in a very dignified manner. This proved, before the world, that Kosovo has a responsible state and people as members of international community and civilized world. Kosovo’s independence, this new and permanent reality, up to date, is recognized by fifty four states, comprising more than seventy percent of world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), seven members of the G-8 and eighty one percent of the member states of European Union. Recognition, inter alia, means the opportunity of cooperation at state level and raises the need to functionalize local institutions, which was achieved by the Government through 4 capacity building in line Ministries and public administration, and the funding of their action plans with the first budget of the independent Kosovo. This budget is already covering our needs as an independent state and leads Kosovo towards economic independence. On 15 June 2008, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo entered into force, including legislation from Ahtisaari’s Settlement Document. All social and political development processes are based on principles and provisions of the Constitution, guaranteeing territorial sovereignty and equality of all citizens before law. The will, aim and final destination of Kosovo is European Union. The aim of Kosovo to join the EU derives from the wide public consensus and requires serious efforts of government institutions within the formal process of pre-accession and to ensuring the status of the candidate country. As a result of the work of Government, EU confirmed the first step of Kosovo towards the European Union, the so-called feasibility study, which is expected to be completed in autumn 2009. As part of Government commitment for EU integration, the consolidation of governmental institutions will continue towards the accomplishment of Copenhagen criteria: political and economic criteria, and European standards. 2. Introduction The top priority of Government of Kosovo continues to be the intensification of economic development. Economic growth will be achieved through the increase in investments, further privatization and restructuring of publicly-owned enterprises, increase in the economic competitive ability and increase in exports. Government of Kosovo applied policies aiming to: economic growth, decrease the level of unemployment, improve social conditions and reduce poverty. In order to be 5 competitive with countries of the region, Government of Kosovo engaged in the establishment of a convenient environment to attract foreign direct investments. Government of Kosovo has undertaken reforms to adopt Kosovo’s policies in order to achieve the level of economic development with countries of the region. These reforms will continue in the years to come, with the purpose of creating conditions for a sustainable economic growth. Government of Kosovo will continue to be focused on the following areas: Rule of Law, Transport, Energy and Mining, Education, Agriculture, Tax Policies and Administration as well as Financial Sector. Commitment to the preservation of sustainable macroeconomic and fiscal policies, effective implementation of public capital expenditure and the use of initiatives such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPP’s) were given priority in the work of the Government. Government also aims to conduct as rationally as possible the process of strategic privatizations and similar policies in order to avoid constraints to development created by the unsustainable supply with energy – privatization of supply and distribution as well as the bid for New Kosovo – and the unutilized potential of mineral capacities. A priority of the Government is the rule of law, in particular the improvement of efficiency of judicial system and fighting of negative occurrences such as corruption, organized crime and informal economy in general. Regulation of the Airport through concessions and review of solutions from the private sector to improve competitiveness in the sector of communications also serve to the same ends. Another Government priority remains the implementation of the major program of Highways’ Infrastructure, together with the maintenance and reparation of existing roads. 6 In the sector of education, it is worth mentioning the continuous and intensive improvement of school infrastructure, basic curricula at all levels, improvement of assessment methods, commencement of the process of certification for teachers and extending the use of information technology (IT) into schools (licensing and accreditation). In the agricultural sector, the enlargement of irrigation systems and initiation of the process of land consolidation, in order to increase productivity and efficiency of the agricultural sector, remain the main priorities. Being Constitutional obligations, special attention was paid to decentralization, the area of security, establishment of new institutions and minorities. Implementing the decentralization process continues to be part of Government agenda as an ambitious program with multiple benefits for the people of Kosovo. Community rights and sustainable return of internally displaced persons represent vital issues to the harmonization of social structures in the independent Kosovo. The establishment of the Ministry of the Security Force, and the Security Force itself, comprise crucial steps in the modern history of armed forces for